Name: Visitation for Thomas H. Stark
Start: 2018-12-21T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-12-22T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory - Durham

Thomas Haywood Stark

Durham

Thomas Haywood Stark, 63, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away in his office on December 17, 2018.

Tom was born in Durham, North Carolina on August 3, 1955. Tom is survived by his wife Roxanne Bragg, sons Michael Stark (Emily) and Jonathan Stark (Sara), stepson Kevin Cash (Shereen), stepdaughter Lynn Bowling (Tripp), mother Betty Lou Stark, brothers Walter Stark (Betsy) and Paul Stark (Traci), sister Sarah Ann Reed (Charles), grandchildren Oliver, Reid and Eleanor Stark, Joey Pendleton and Kyleigh Cash, along with many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. He is preceded in death by his father the Reverend Dr. Rufus Haywood Stark, II. Tom was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to everyone.

Tom was a graduate of Duke University and Duke University School of Law. He practiced law in Durham for thirty-five years with various firms and ultimately with Stark Law Group, PLLC, which he opened in 2003. Tom truly loved practicing law and established himself as a pillar of the legal community in Durham. When not in the office or in the courtroom, Tom had a deep passion for fun and adventure including hunting, horseback riding, music, exploring the outdoors, and excursions with his wife.

Tom's everlasting legacy will be his family, his law practice and his commitment to the community and his clients. Tom was a natural leader and truly believed in helping others. He made personal sacrifices to serve his community in multiple capacities including as the North Carolina Republican Party's parliamentarian and general counsel for the past few years.

There will be a visitation from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701, on Friday, December 21, 2018. Funeral services for Tom will be held at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, 504 W. Chapel Hill St. Durham, NC 27701, on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm. Tom will be laid to rest at 3:30 pm at Popes Chapel United Church of Christ, 1237 Pocomoke Rd., Franklinton, NC 27525.

The Stark family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, NC. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com select obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer & Herald Sun on Dec. 20, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Stark

Sponsored by Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory - Durham.

19 Entries

David Swinton

December 14, 2020

I was one of Tom's law school classmates and he was one of the first friendships I made there. I was very sorry to learn of his passing. He was one of the warmest, most welcoming people I have ever met. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues for his loss.

Elizabeth Temple

December 14, 2019

Dear Stark Family, I attended this funeral at the request of his friend who tweeted out the information and wanted as many NCGOP members as possible to attend. It was so beautiful a funeral, and as a former music teacher in the public schools for over 20 years, I loved the music. I appreciate so much all that he did for the NCGOP and so do all of us. I'm signing now to wish all a Merry Christmas. Elizabeth Temple

Callie & Philip Moore

January 7, 2019

Betty Lou,
All of us here at Hayesville First United Methodist are thinking of you and your family at this time. We would love to have your mailing address so those of us who worshipped and served with you and Rufus could reach out individually. So sorry you had to experience this loss.
With love

December 31, 2018

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Stark family, Tom's friends and his fellow USA Patriots.

Kaye Ball
Newton. NC

Bill Moore

December 29, 2018

Tom was one of those rare people you happen to meet, and feel like you've always known. Beginning with our introduction to Duke Law School in 1978, I came to appreciate Tom as a helpful classmate, a fellow musician, a preacher's kid, a great ham-biscuit chef (& entrepreneur), a purposefully unsuccessful chewing tobacco coach, a fishing buddy - "Catfish" was always willing to take a break from the grind to "wet a line" and shoot the breeze - a political historian and sparring partner, a grounded advisor, and a trusty companion. Although we had different views on some things, we always saw "eye-to-eye" on the important things, like family, justice and core values. Tom remained my dear friend for the rest of his life; I will remember him fondly for the rest of mine. Thomas H. Stark was a good man who lived with a purpose, loved with an open heart, and worked hard to make the world a better place. Those of us whose lives he touched will miss him badly and think of him often (especially when fishing, jamming, or chomping on a ham biscuit!)

Ira Schochet

December 28, 2018

Though it has been decades since we spoke, when we were law school classmates, I am very saddened to hear of Tom's passing. I remember fondly all of the conversations we had, seeking to bridge all of the currents of a NY-NC divide, and his one attempt, wildly unsuccessful (wholly my fault) to teach me to chew tobacco. Tom, you were a larger than life character and will be greatly missed.Ira Schochet

Sharon Meade

December 27, 2018

I worked for Tom from about 2002 to 2007 and was deeply saddened and shocked to hear of his passing. May God bless and keep the family.

Katy Zastrow DuBois

December 23, 2018

Tom, you were always very kind to me and we had some very funny & spirited conversations .
I had not talked to you in a while, and will miss you.
You will leave a void with your passing.

Denise Byrd

December 23, 2018

Roxanne, I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I always admired Tom and enjoyed his stories, and I really enjoyed him as a client. He was honorable and fiercely loyal.

Blessings to you and your family,
Denise Byrd

Fred and Christine Lockley

December 22, 2018

Our deepest sympathies and condolences to, you, Roxanne,and to the children, grandchildren, and extended families. Our prayers and loving thoughts as you bear this sorrow. Tom was a truly remarkable man and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.May God bless you in the coming days and give you peace.
Loving Downs neighbors, Fred and Christine Lockley

David & Gina Berini Smudski

December 21, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stark family. Tom was a very thoughtful and giving man. His passing is & will be felt deeply by many.

Lori Wilson

December 21, 2018

Our thoughts are with the entire Stark family.

John & Lori Wilson

joel shapiro

December 20, 2018

Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your husband. He was a pillar of the community and a decent and giving person.

Elizabeth Temple

December 20, 2018

The Governor of North Carolina should honor Tom Stark's memory with the Long Leaf Pine Award for his work on behalf of the NCGOP.

Elizabeth A. Temple

December 20, 2018

Nicole Joyner

December 20, 2018

So sorry praying for every family member. Tom will be truly missed.

Don Harvan

December 20, 2018

My deepest condolences to the family. I knew Tom through his music family and spent several wonderful summer afternoons listening to Tom and friends play on his back deck. He will be missed.